Gov. Deal's original proposal to cut pre-K from 6.5 hours to 4 hours a day was met by outcries from pre-K teachers, parents and advocates.

"That was the most contentious issue for people," Deal said. "We heard from parents and providers."

"A 4-hour day does not work for working families," said Sheltering Arms CEO Elaine Praeger. "No other state has done this. Everybody else is trying to increase the hours of pre-K and not decrease the hours of pre-K."

Deal's new plan would expand class sizes by two students in each classroom, from 20 to 22, and add 2,000 slots to the pre-K program, which has a 10,000 student waiting list. Deal's original plan added 5,000 slots.